Fall in New England means apple picking, gorgeous foliage, pumpkin spiced everything, and most importantly–the start of cozy reading season.
Here are the books I’ve been curled up with this month:
Look for these at your local bookstore or library. You can also use the links below to order online from Indiebound or Amazon. Descriptions are from the publishers.
The Lotterys More or Less
by Emma Donoghue
A sequel to The Lotterys Plus One is here! If you or the kids in your life are fans of books that feature the adventures of big, rambunctious families with a lot of heart then pick up this series by Emma Donoghue. This book, set during the holidays, would also make a great gift for the kids in your life. The Lotterys, with four parents, one grandparent and six siblings are from a variety of different backgrounds and celebrate an array of holiday traditions in this entertaining sequel. Their rich, quirky family culture continues to make me wish I was their neighbor and could drop by for a visit. You may know the author from her adult novels, Room and The Wonder. Fans of this series could try The Vanderbeekers series by Karina Yan Glaser next.
“Sumac Lottery is the keeper of her family’s traditions — from Pow Wow to Holi, Carnival to Hogmanay, Sumac’s on guard to make sure that no Lottery celebration gets forgotten. But this winter all Sumac’s seasonal plans go awry when a Brazilian visitor overstays his welcome. A terrible ice storm grounds all flights, so one of her dads and her favorite brother can’t make it home from India. And then the power starts going out across the city… Can Sumac hang on to the spirit of the season, even if nothing is going like a Lottery holiday should?”
Vox
by Christina Dalcher
For fans of The Handmaids’ Tale looking for their next read, my recommendation is Vox. This page turner by Christina Dalcher similarly evokes fear by making this alternate reality, where women are limited to 100 words per day seem plausible.
“Set in a United States in which half the population has been silenced, Vox is the harrowing, unforgettable story of what one woman will do to protect herself and her daughter.
On the day the government decrees that women are no longer allowed more than one hundred words per day, Dr. Jean McClellan is in denial. This can’t happen here. Not in America. Not to her. Soon women are not permitted to hold jobs. Girls are not taught to read or write. Females no longer have a voice. Before, the average person spoke sixteen thousand words each day, but now women have only one hundred to make themselves heard. For herself, her daughter, and every woman silenced, Jean will reclaim her voice.
This is just the beginning…not the end.”
A Big Mooncake for Little Star
by Grace Lin
The Good News About Bad Behavior: What Kids Are Less Disciplined Than Ever – An What To Do About It
by Katherine Reynolds Lewis
If you are a parent, caregiver or educator interested in some of the latest research and theories on kids and behavior, The Good News About Bad Behavior is a compelling read. As Booklist noted, “In her first book, Lewis researches and explains how we got here and the ways that adults can help the kids in their lives improve through connection, communication, and capability.”
“Why don’t our kids do what we want them to do? Parents often take the blame for misbehavior, but this obscures a broader trend: in our modern, highly connected age, children have less self-control than ever. About half of the current generation of children will develop a mood or behavioral disorder or a substance addiction by age eighteen. Contemporary kids need to learn independence and responsibility, yet our old ideas of punishments and rewards are preventing this from happening.
To stem this growing crisis of self-regulation, journalist and parenting expert Katherine Reynolds Lewis articulates what she calls The Apprenticeship Model, a new theory of discipline that centers on learning the art of self-control. Blending new scientific research and powerful individual stories of change, Lewis shows that, if we trust our children to face consequences, they will learn to adapt and moderate their own behavior. She watches as chaotic homes become peaceful, bewildered teachers see progress, and her own family grows and evolves in light of these new ideas. You’ll recognize your own family in Lewis’s sensitive, realistic stories, and you’ll find a path to making everyone in your home more capable, kinder, and happier–including yourself.”
The Wedding Date and The Proposal
by Jasmine Guillory
If you’re looking for a delightful romantic comedy to escape into, Jasmine Guillory’s The Wedding Date fits the bill. Entertainment Weekly called The Wedding Date, “A swoony rom-com brimming with humor and charm.” and NPR said, “This novel reads like a truly contemporary contemporary romance in that the hero and heroine grapple with issues anyone dating today will relate to.” The companion book, The Proposal comes out on October 30th and is sure to please Guillory’s fans. As Buzzfeed notes, “With sharp banter, a well-rounded cast of characters, and plenty of swoony scenes, Jasmine Guillory defends her position as one of the most exciting rom-com writers out there.”
The Wedding Date
Indiebound Amazon
The Proposal
Indiebound Amazon
A Bookish Home Podcast 
My son will love The Lottery books. I have never heard of them! I will be getting them for him at Christmas thanks to your recommendation!
I’m so glad to have helped! If he ends up enjoying the Lotterys, the Vanderbeekers series also just came out with a second book and would be another great choice!
Thank you so much for recommending The Good News About Bad Behavior! It means so much more coming from a book lover and educator. I’ll be in New England next week – Providence on Oct. 22 and Enfield, Ct., on Oct. 25. If you’re close enough to attend, I would love to meet you! (And personally inscribe a copy of my book.)
I wish I could be there! I would love to chat more about the book with you though. If you are interested in being on my podcast, A Bookish Home, you could reach out at ABookishHome@gmail.com.
Your blog is beautiful! I’m so glad to have found you. I love the mix of adult reads and kid books. The Handmaid’s Tale is the one book I read this year that I hated, so I think I’ll pass on Vox, but the Lotterys series looks cute and just right for the holidays. This month I did a reread of a classic, a touching memoir, Anne Bogel’s beautiful new book, and a work of historical fiction.
https://goteamotto.blogspot.com/2018/10/what-team-otto-has-been-reading-lately.html
Thanks so much Aimee! I really enjoyed checking out your blog as well. I’m in Massachusetts and have been wanting to check out more Trustees properties and saw you did Appleton Farms and Bird Park. I’ll have to add these to my list!